This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Ouarzazate.
Ouarzazate, Morocco, is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara. It is a quiet town, but is unsurprisingly the gateway for trips into the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The town itself is pretty and great for taking pictures, but it's not the main reason to visit Ouarzazate. While many people travel by organized tour to the Sahara Desert and stay overnight in Ouarzazate -- either booked from home or at their hostel in Marrakesh or Agadir -- it would actually be cheaper to travel independently to Ouarzazate and book desert safaris upon arrival.
While Ouarzazate is not the main reason to come to the town, it would also be a shame to go on a desert safari only and immediately head back to Morocco’s big cities. Ouarzazate’s Kasbah is photo-worthy from the outside. Kasbahs at towns nearby are more worth going inside. Arguably the best Kasbah to visit is the one in Aït Benhaddou, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taourirt Kasbah is another one worth visiting. About four kilometres from Ouarzazate, you can also visit the Atlas Studios, where films like "Asterix & Obelix" and "Gladiator" were filmed. There are also some beautiful hiking trails near Ouarzazate, or you can visit the scenic Oasis de Fint. Camel tracks and walking tours in the sand desert are by far the most popular activity from Ouarzazate and should definitely not be skipped.
Ouarzazate, Morocco, may be a small town, there are a lot of interesting activities and landmarks that can be done from here. It is recommended to make several day trips from Ouarzazate; some can be done independently, whereas others can be booked at an agency in town or through your hostel in Ouarzazate, Morocco. The town is rather small, so if you are staying in the town, all places in Ouarzazate itself can be easily navigated on foot. Some Ouarzazate, Morocco hostels are a few kilometres outside the city, though -- take a look at your Ouarzazate, Morocco hostel’s address before making a booking.
Written by local enthusiast for Ouarzazate hostels
Martin Straatman
